From the Whale to the Witch
Shop, dine and drink your way along the Nine Line, the protected east–west corridor stitching 9th & 9th to the Granary District.
We get it. You haven't been north of 33rd South in a while (or maybe not even that far). Understandably. It's reasonable to assume the construction will never end and to stay clear of the hard-hat-required zones. But apart from poor Sugar House, there seems to be a lull in the jackhammers — an eye of the storm — and for now, at least, the results of all those torn-up roads, one-lane diversions and orange cones are coming into focus.
Behold the Nine Line.
The Nine Line passes through old warehouses turned cafés, neighborhood bars with bike racks out front, public art, indie retail and some of the city's most walkable and bikeable pockets, stitched together by a protected east–west corridor. It's nice because pedestrians and faster wheeled vehicles have separate lanes. The line starts in the east at 9th & 9th below the Whale and continues through Central Ninth and all the way out to the Jordan River Trail.
1100 East to 500 East: 9th & 9th to Liberty Wells
This stretch is the most residential and walkable part of the route, defined by independent retail, cafés, neighborhood institutions and, of course, Liberty Park.
Normal Ice Cream (169 E. 900 South) — A playful ice cream shop with a devoted following, known for inventive flavors and soft-serve textures that shift seasonally. Expect a line.
The Stockist (875 E. 900 South) — This trend-importing boutique blends home goods, apparel, books and objets d'art.
Randy's Records (157 E. 900 South) — The most important music shop in the region. It's a place stuck in time — specifically the 1970s — with brown wood paneling and wall-to-wall records.
Pago (878 S. 900 East) — One of the first-wave Utah restaurants to truly walk its talk on local sourcing. Scott Evans' Pago remains a solid recommendation for its wine list and seasonal menu.
Tulie Bakery (863 E. 700 South) — A French-inspired bakery known for croissants, tarts and one of the best pastry programs in the city. A slight detour north, but a worthwhile morning add-on.
500 East to 400 West: Central Ninth to the Granary edge
This is where the Nine Line becomes more urban and industrial: breweries, murals, adaptive reuse buildings and denser food and drink options.
Water Witch (163 W. 900 South) — This James Beard-nominated cocktail bar still retains the cocktail crown in SLC. A true neighborhood bar, deliberately small, it is a place to see and be seen in the crowd jockeying for the attention of its mixologists.
Laziz Kitchen (912 S. Jefferson St.) — Lebanese-inspired cuisine with bright herb-forward dishes and one of the best patios in Central Ninth.
Fisher Brewing Co. (320 W. 800 South) — A tap room rooted in Salt Lake's brewing history, which goes back further than you think. Strong on lagers and easy-drinking styles, with the easiest-going patio in Salt Lake.
TF Brewing (936 S. 300 West) — These guys are making the best beer in town, emphatic followers of the German Beer Purity Law and the western brewing tradition.
Blue Copper Coffee Room (179 W. 900 South) — One of Salt Lake's respected specialty coffee operations, with a minimalist bike-friendly space.
Coffee Garden, Pago, The Stockist, Cahoots, Salt & Honey, Hip & Humble, Randy's Records, Loki Coffee, Normal Ice Cream, Goat Head, Laziz Kitchen, Blue Copper, Water Witch, Fisher Brewing, TF Brewing.
